Government welfare reforms, introduced to restore fairness to the welfare system, are already showing signs of success in Wandsworth.
Two policies in particular - the benefit cap and the ending of the Spare Room Subsidy - are responsible for many out-of-work households making the decision to return to work. The policies are very new, but already 165 families affected by the Spare Room Subsidy changes in Wandsworth have come off housing benefit altogether and gone into work.
Additionally, around 100 local families in Wandsworth have been able to move out of overcrowded social housing properties as other families with vacant bedrooms have been prompted to downsize by the policy.
Dan Watkins, Parliamentary Candidate for Tooting commented: “Social housing is a finite, valuable resource and it great to hear that it is being better utilised in Wandsworth as a result of the Government’s welfare reforms. These changes are helping people who are stuck in over-crowded accommodation or on waiting lists to find accommodation that suits their needs.
“Sadly the Labour Party voted against the Benefit Cap and opposed all the changes the Government has made to fix the welfare system. Under their plans some families would still be able to get the equivalent of nearly a £70,000 salary in benefits. The Conservatives believe in supporting disadvantaged people in times of need, but also recognise that helping people into work has to be the ultimate goal”.